Archery scoring ruler

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an archery scoring ruler for consistently and accurately scoring archery arrows shot into a target relative to the center of the target. An archery scoring ruler is providing comprising an elongated body, an alignment member, a slider, a first plurality of scoring pointers, a second plurality of scoring pointers, and an incremental marking system wherein the is configured to correspond to the score of the arrow relative to the center of the target. The alignment member aides the archer or the user in aligning the left side of the archery scoring ruler to the center of the target.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional patent application U.S.Ser. No. 62/803,232 filed on Feb. 8, 2019.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an archery scoring ruler for accuratelyscoring an arrow shot into a target.

2. Description of Related Art

The usefulness of a bow and arrow revolve around the archer's ability touse the bow and arrow accurately. This is evenly most critical incompetitive archery wherein scoring rings are commonly used and havebeen used for centuries to judge how far an archer's arrow is to thedesired center of a target. Typically scoring is conducted by a judge incompetitive archery who uses their experience and discernment to attemptto accurately score an arrow in or out of a scoring ring. Problems ariseanytime human judgement is involved and commonly arrows rest betweenscoring rings. Furthermore, arrows of different diameters commonly maycreate scoring discrepancies. A tool is needed for consistent anduniform use in competitive archery and training to ensure archery arrowscoring on conducted correctly. A tool to remove human judgement isneeded to eliminate human judging errors or human bias.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an archery scoring ruler for consistentlyand accurately scoring archery arrows shot into a target. The archeryscoring ruler does not leave any judgement or estimation in the hands ofa scoring judge, rather the archery scoring ruler provides a uniform andconsistent method for scoring the location of an arrow within a targetrelative to the center of the target. Another object of the presentinvention is to provide a uniform scoring routine and system for judgingcompetitive archery competitions, eliminating human error and bias.

In order to do so, an archery scoring ruler is providing comprising anelongated body wherein the rear side is directly adjacent to the targetin which the archery scoring ruler is scoring. A first plurality ofpointers are joined to the bottom side of the archery scoring ruler anda second plurality of pointers are joined to the top side of the archeryscoring ruler. An alignment member joined to the left side of theelongated body aides the archer or the user in aligning the left side ofthe elongated body of the archery scoring to the center of the target. Apair of slots extending a through the elongated body, from the left sideto the right side, wherein at least one slider, having a main paneljoined to a first finger and a second finger slides left and right alongthe main elongated body. The first finger and the second finger indirect contact with the pair of slots. The archery, scoring ruler alsocomprises an incremental marking system having at least one lineperpendicular to the top side, wherein the incremental marking system ison the front side of the archery scoring ruler and aides in aligning atleast one slider to at least one line. At least one line is configuredto correspond to the score of the arrow relative to the center of thetarget or relative to a target scoring ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is madebelow with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numeralsrepresent corresponding parts of the figures.

The novel features of the disclosure are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference tothe following detailed description that sets forth illustrativeembodiments, in which the principles of the disclosure are utilized, andthe accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary front view of one embodiment of the archery,scoring ruler in use on an exemplary archery target.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary perspective view of one embodiment of thearchery scoring ruler.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary perspective exploded view of one embodiment ofthe archery scoring ruler.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary perspective view of one embodiment of thearchery, scoring ruler.

FIG. 5A shows an exemplary right view of one embodiment of the archery,scoring ruler.

FIG. 5B shows an exemplary left view of one embodiment of the archeryscoring ruler.

FIG. 6A shows an exemplary perspective view of one embodiment of theslider of the archery scoring ruler.

FIG. 6B shows an exemplary left view of one embodiment of the slider ofthe archery scoring ruler.

FIG. 6C shows an exemplary front view of one embodiment of the slider ofthe archery scoring ruler.

FIG. 7A shows an exemplary front view of one embodiment of the archeryscoring ruler.

FIG. 7B shows an exemplary rear view of one embodiment of the archery,scoring ruler.

FIG. 8A shows an exemplary bottom view of one embodiment of the archeryscoring ruler.

FIG. 8B shows an exemplary top view of one embodiment of the archeryscoring ruler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been shownand described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the artthat such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the disclosure. It should beunderstood that various alternatives to the embodiments of thedisclosure described herein may be employed in practicing thedisclosure.

FIGS. 1-4, 5A-5B, 6A-6C, 7A-7B and 8A-8B illustrates a archery scoringruler 115 in various exemplary embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrate thearchery scoring ruler in use scoring an exemplary archery target 105. Insome embodiments, the archery scoring ruler is designed to score anarchery target having a series of scoring rings 110. In someembodiments, the archery scoring ruler 115 is configured to score anarrow within a target relative to the center of the target. In someembodiments, the archery scoring ruler is configured to score arrowwithin relative to a second position not located at the center of thetarget. The archery scoring ruler 115 includes a elongated body having afront side, a rear side, a left side, a right side, a bottom side and atop side. As shown in FIGS. 5A & 5B, in some embodiments, the front sideof the archery scoring ruler can be rounded. In some embodiments, therear side of the archery scoring ruler is directly adjacent to thetarget in which the archery scoring ruler is scoring. In someembodiments. the top side or bottom side of the archery scoring ruler isdirectly adjacent to the target in which the archery scoring ruler isscoring.

Next, a first plurality of pointers 135 having a plurality of firstscoring tips are joined to the bottom side. The first plurality ofpointe aide in determining the score of the arrow relative to the centerof the target. In some embodiments, a second plurality of pointers 136having a plurality of second first scoring tips joined to the top side.In some embodiments, the second plurality of pointers aide indetermining the score of the arrow relative to the center of the target.

In some embodiments, the elongated body of the archery scoring rulerfurther comprises at least one member of an identification set 130consisting of: an alphanumeric identification, a human user's name, asymbolic shape, a company brand, a numeric identification number, a QRcode, a barcode, and an RFID tag.

The archery scoring ruler 115 included an alignment member 140 joined tothe left side of the elongated body. The alignment member aides a userin aligning the left side of the elongated body of the archery scoringruler to the center of the target. This alignment providing by thealignment member is critical for the proper scoring and positioning ofthe archery scoring ruler, the first plurality of pointers and thesecond plurality of pointers. In some embodiments, the alignment memberis at least one member of a alignment set consisting of: a semi-circleopening, a pin, a nail, a fastener, a laser, a magnet, a bearing, aspring, a elastic member, a string, a belt, and a gear.

In some embodiments, the archery ruler includes a pair of slots alongthe elongated body of the archery scoring ruler the pair of slotscomprising of a first slot 150 and a second slot 155 extending adistance into the elongated body from the left side to the right side.In some embodiments, the pair of slots extends entirely through theelongated body. In some embodiments, at least two slots extend adistance into the elongated body. In some embodiments, the pair of slotsfurther comprises a “L-shaped” cross-sectional area.

In some embodiments, least one slider 120, having a main panel joined toa first finger 165 and a second finger 170 is adjoined to the elongatedbody of the archery scoring ruler by inserting the first finger and thesecond finger into the pair of slots. Each finger of the sliderextending away from the main panel. The first finger and the secondfinger, in some embodiments, are inserted into the first slot 150 andthe second slot 155, therein controlling a sliding direction and therotation of at least one slider 120. In some embodiments, at least oneslider 120 includes a slider point 160. In some embodiments, the firstfinger and the second finger match the “L-shaped” cross sectional areaof the corresponding first slot 150 and second slot 155, therein atleast one finger of the slider is configured to partially wrap aroundthe first slot or the second slot. In some embodiments, the sliderincludes more than two fingers. In some embodiments, the slider 120further comprises an external texture.

In some embodiments, the archery scoring ruler includes an incrementalmarking system 175 located on the front side of the archery scoringruler and includes at least one line perpendicular to the top side ofthe archery scoring ruler. The incremental marking system aides inaligning at least one slider to at least one line. In some embodiments,at least one line is configured to correspond to the score of the arrowrelative to the center of the target. In some embodiments, at least oneline is configured to correspond to the score of the arrow relative tothe scoring ring of the target.

In some embodiments, the archery scoring ruler further comprises aremovable cover 125 having at least one open side. The archery scoringruler is inserted into the removable cover through at least one openside. The removable cover aides in protecting the archery scoring rulerfrom damage. In some embodiments, the removable cover of the archeryscoring ruler further comprises at least one member of an identificationset 185 consisting of: an alphanumeric identification, a human user'sname, a symbolic shape, a company brand, a numeric identificationnumber, a QR code, a barcode, and an RE′ ID tag.

As used in this application, the term “a” or “an” means “at least one”or “one or more.”

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refersto a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number.

As used in this application, the term “substantially” means that theactual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value,particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especiallywithin about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element orlimit set forth herein.

All references throughout this application, for example patent documentsincluding issued or granted patents or equivalents, patent applicationpublications, and non-patent literature documents or other sourcematerial, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to theextent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with thedisclosure in the present application (for example, a reference that ispartially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for thepartially inconsistent portion of the reference).

Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the samemeaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art towhich this disclosure belongs.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferences unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Any referenceto “or” herein is intended to encompass “and/or” unless otherwisestated.

As used herein, the term “about” refers to an amount that is near thestated amount by about 0%, 5%, or 10%, including increments therein.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the samemeaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art towhich this disclosure belongs.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for”performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specifiedfunction, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause asspecified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6. In particular, any use of “step of” inthe claims is not intended to invoke the provision of 35 U.S.C. § 112,¶6.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous designconfigurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of theinventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations andarrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of theinvention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather thannarrowed by the embodiments described above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A archery scoring ruler, configured to judge ascore of a arrow relative to a center of a target, the archery scoringruler comprising: a elongated body having a front side, a rear side, aleft side, a right side, a bottom side and a top side; wherein the rearside is directly adjacent to the target in which the archery scoringruler is scoring; a first plurality of pointers having a plurality offirst scoring tips joined to the bottom side; wherein the firstplurality of pointers aide in determining the score of the arrowrelative to the center of the target; a second plurality of pointershaving a plurality of second first scoring tips joined to the top side;wherein the second plurality of pointers aide in determining the scoreof the arrow relative to the center of the target; an alignment memberjoined to the left side of the elongated body; wherein the alignmentmember aides a user in aligning the left side of the elongated body ofthe archery scoring ruler to the center of the target; a pair of slotsextending a distance into the elongated body from the left side to theright side; at least one slider, having a main panel joined to a firstfinger and a second finger; wherein each finger extends away from themain panel; an incremental marking system located on the front side ofthe archery scoring ruler and having at least one line perpendicular tothe top side; wherein the incremental marking system aides in aligningat least one slider to at least one line; wherein at least one line isconfigured to correspond to the score of the arrow relative to thecenter of the target.
 2. The archery scoring ruler of claim 1, furthercomprising: a removable cover having at least one open side; wherein thearchery scoring ruler is inserted into the removable cover through atleast one open side; wherein the removable cover aides in protecting thearchery scoring ruler from damage.
 3. The archery scoring ruler of claim1, wherein the elongated body of the archery scoring ruler furthercomprises at least one member of an identification set consisting of: analphanumeric identification, a human user's name, a symbolic shape, acompany brand, a numeric identification number, a QR code, a barcode,and an RFID tag.
 4. The archery scoring ruler of claim 1, wherein thepair of slots further comprises a “L-shaped” cross-sectional area. 5.The archery scoring ruler of claim 4, wherein at least one finger of theslider further comprises an “L-shaped” cross-sectional area configuredto partially wrap around at least one of the slots of the pair of slots.6. The archery scoring ruler of claim 1, wherein the alignment member isat least one member of a alignment set consisting of: a semi-circleopening, a pin, a nail, a fastener, a laser, a magnet, a bearing, aspring, a elastic member, a string, a belt, and a gear.
 7. The archeryscoring ruler of claim 2, wherein the removable cover of the archeryscoring ruler further comprises at least one member of an identificationset consisting of: an alphanumeric identification, a human user's name,a symbolic shape, a company brand, a numeric identification number, a QRcode, a barcode, and an RFID tag.